Pre-Conference Activities, Aug. 14, 2008

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Computer Labs - Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center,
450 West Ohio Street
The number of genealogical resources available on the Internet increases daily. The two-hour morning lab will focus on Indiana online resources presented by Suzanne Hahn from the Indiana Historical Society. The three-hour afternoon lab will be presented by Beau Sharbrough from Footnote.com. This advanced computer lab will provide a hands-on opportunity to explore a number of research sites.

Participants will have a live connection to the Internet and should have a basic knowledge of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Seating is limited to 20 participants per workshop.

Navigating the Maze: Finding Indiana Records Online, 10 a.m.–noon
$40, $30 IHS members
This session will explore the many Indiana online resources available to family history researchers. Discover the wealth of free information available from libraries, state agencies and historical societies from across the state. Participants will learn where to find these online gems and tips for searching them.

Genealogical Research on the Internet, 1–4 p.m.
$60, $50 IHS members
This advanced computer lab will provide a hands-on opportunity to explore a number of research tools available on the Internet. Learn what can be found and how to make the best use of sites such as Footnote.com, WorldVitalRecords.com, Ancestry.com and Google.

Library Workshop - Indiana State Library, 140 North Senate Avenue
Genealogy Resources Library Workshop, 9 a.m.–4:15 p.m.
$10; Free for those registered for the conference
This workshop was designed especially for frontline library workers and volunteers who answer questions from genealogy patrons. Seating is limited.

8:15-9 a.m.                
Registration and refreshments

9-9:15 a.m.                
Welcome and opening remarks

9:15-10:15 a.m.        
Serving the 21st Century Genealogy Customer
Susan Kaufman

10:30-11:30  a.m.     
Federal Documents of Interest to Genealogists
Autumn Gonzalez

11:30  a.m.-1  p.m.   
Lunch on your own

1-2 p.m.                     
Solving the Problem in 25 Hours or less
Christine Rose

Successful strategies are presented to maximize research on or offsite using a case study.

2:15-3:15 p.m.          
Where Can I Find…?
Susan Kaufman, Autumn Gonzalez, Suzanne Hahn and Vicki Casteel
Q&A

3:15-4:15 p.m.          
Tour of the Indiana State Library

Writing Workshop–Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street
Preparing Your Family History for Publication: A Writing Workshop, 10–11:30 a.m. or 1–2:30 p.m.
$25, $20 IHS members
This workshop will focus on communicating effectively. It will include a discussion of essential writing skills, such as organization, documentation, effective word choice and clarity.  M. Teresa Baer and Rachel M. Popma, editors at the Indiana Historical Society Press, will also use samples of writing on genealogical topics to illustrate common grammatical and stylistic problems.

After the discussion the participants will put their writing skills to practical use by editing writing samples together. The presenters will then meet one-on-one with the participants to critique their individual writing samples.

Along with the registration form and fees, each participant should submit a brief writing sample, including a short outline of his or her project along with a one-page writing sample. These projects may be for self publication of family history or submissions for professional publications. Seating is limited to 10 participants per session.

History Lab–Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street
10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. FREE. Limited to 12 people per session. Call (317) 233-5659 to make a reservation.

Historical documents such as diaries and letters provide the evidence family historians use to solve the mysteries of the past. Preserving these documents for the future is the job of the Indiana Historical Society Conservation Lab. And now you too can learn this science in the History Lab–a new visitor experience offered by the IHS. 

Donning lab coats and handling conservation tools and materials, History Lab guests will become acquainted with conservation concepts as they develop skills they can apply to their own family treasures. Guests will learn about conservation related concepts and “tools of the trade,” view before-and-after treatment displays and learn about conservation storage materials. Newsprint will be used to learn the basic skills involved in assessing and repairing tears in damaged papers. The session will conclude with a tour of the IHS Conservation Lab.

Resource Orientation Sessions
10 a.m. or 1 p.m. FREE. Limited to 20 people per session. Call (317) 233-5659 to make a reservation.
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street
Indiana State Library, 140 North Senate Avenue
Indiana State Archives 6440 East 30th Street

The Smith Library, the Indiana State Archives and the Indiana State Library are offering resource orientation sessions on Thursday, Aug. 14. There is no cost for the resource orientation sessions, but you must have a reservation. A complete list of additional research facilities may be found on the conference Web site, or call (317) 233-5659 to request a list of facilities and contact information.

Evening Panel Discussion at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
The Evolution of Genetic Genealogy, 6–9 p.m.
$15, $10 IHS members; Free to those staying at a host hotel.
Picnic Dinner $15
Bus Transportation from the Marriott East $10
The evening will begin with an Indiana summer picnic dinner in the Lilly Hall at the History Center on Thursday evening. The dinner will include pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, corn on the cob, cole slaw and ice cream. Following the dinner, three pioneers in genetic genealogy will explore the evolution of DNA testing for genealogy research and DNA’s potential and present-day uses for genealogists in the panel discussion The Evolution of Genetic Genealogy. Panelists include Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak, chief family historian and North American spokesperson for Ancestry.com; Roberta J. Estes, founder of DNAeXplain; Charles F. Kerchner, founder of one of the first Y-DNA surname projects; and moderator Curt Witcher.  Receive a complimentary ticket to the panel discussion if you stay at the Indianapolis Marriott East.

Bus transportation will be available from the Indianapolis Marriott East to the History Center for the evening presentation. The bus will leave from the host hotel at 5:15 p.m. and return to the hotel at the conclusion of the program, approximately 9 p.m. A nominal fee will be charged for this service. There is also  parking available at the History Center.